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Trifolium subterraneum as a potential nurse plant for restoring soil and Mediterranean grasslands after quarry exploitation in Lebanon
No full textInternational audienceDestruction of Mediterranean herbaceous communities resulting from quarry exploitation exacerbates the need for their ecological restoration. By facilitating the growth and development of other plant species, nurse plants can be used to speed up regeneration processes. Nevertheless, differences in soil properties and co-existing species may change plant interactions from facilitation to competition. This study evaluated interactions of a potential nurse species, Trifolium subterraneum L., in a 2-years ex situ mesocosm experiment. During the first year, soils collected from a former quarry and a nearby dry-grassland were planted in pots with T. subterraneum alone or with four individuals of four target species (Aegilops triuncialis L., Echinops viscosus L., Eryngium creticum Lam., Hyoscyamus aureus L.) characteristics of Mediterranean grasslands. In the second year, the same experiment was repeated following the incorporation of dried T. subterraneum biomass into the soil. Soil analyses were done before initiating the experiment from both reference and degraded soil, after the first and the second growing season. Index of Relative Interaction Intensity (RII) was calculated for several plant traits enabling the measuring of the plants' competitive ability. Our results show that, before starting the experiment, soils collected from both the reference and degraded sites were significantly different (e.g. CEC, pH, P 2 O 5 , MgO, N, C, Clay). These differences were still notable throughout the first growing season. Nevertheless, after the second growing season and whendried. T. subterraneum biomass was incorporated into the soil, a significant increase in soil fertility (e.g. N, C, C:N, P 2 O 5 ) was measured. For plants, during the first growing season, RII figures amidst competition dominating interactions. Facilitation was apparent only between the biomass of T. subterraneum pure seed mix in both degraded and reference soil. During the second growing season, T. subterraneum also performed better alone, especially on degraded soils. Nevertheless, because of its facilitative effects on biomass and surface cover when cultivated as a pure stand, T. subterraneum can be recommended as a nurse species for re-establishing soil fertility of degraded quarries as a first step of ecological restoration
Parametric GIS and HBIM for Archaeological Site Management and Historic Reconstruction Through 3D Survey Integration
No full textInternational audienceThis study presents a practical methodology for integrating the multiscale spatial information of archaeological sites by combining Geographic Information Systems (GISs) with Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM). The methodology categorises and integrates data based on its type and geometric scale, leveraging advanced 3D surveying techniques alongside semantic and parametric modelling tools. A multiscale system is proposed to manage heterogeneous geospatial data efficiently, enabling the development of enriched geometric models with detailed semantic and parametric attributes. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through a case study of the Archaeological Area of Ancient “Abellinum”, showcasing seamless integration between HGISs and HBIM across multiple levels of detail. This work highlights the potential for enhanced management and the interpretation of archaeological heritage using innovative digital methodologies, highlighting the importance of representation in documenting historical transformations
Unlocking the Gates: A Novel Diagnostic Molecule for Quantifying Efflux Levels in Gram‐Positive Bacteria
No full textInternational audienceAbstract Efflux‐mediated antibiotic resistance poses a significant global threat, affecting diverse bacterial species. Clinicians recognize the danger of efflux mechanisms during antibiotic treatment, yet precise diagnostic tools remain unavailable. The antibiogram currently infers abnormal efflux pump activity in clinical isolates, which is subsequently confirmed through transcriptomic or genomic analysis. This study harnesses the colorimetric, fluorescence, and solubility properties of phenazinium derivatives to develop a rapid protocol for detecting bacterial efflux. Among several synthesized phenazinium compounds, the compound demonstrating differential MIC in Staphylococcus efflux mutants and exhibiting appropriate physicochemical properties is selected. A diagnostic protocol is developed using the selected compound to assess efflux levels, categorized as no, weak, or strong, through colorimetry and spectroscopy techniques. Testing on Gram‐positive efflux mutants and clinical Staphylococcus isolates further validates the approach. In‐silico docking analysis confirms the interaction between the chosen compound and the NorA efflux pump in S. aureus . Flow cytometry is employed to re‐evaluate the detection assays. The developed molecule and protocol represent the first known method to evaluate efflux levels in any Gram‐positive species through a streamlined and user‐friendly process. This pioneering test significantly advances the epidemiological analysis of efflux mechanisms and enables more informed therapeutic decision‐making, leading to more effective treatment
Non-parametric estimation of net survival under dependence between death causes
No full textRelative survival methodology deals with a competing risks survival model where the cause of death is unknown. This lack of information occurs regularly in population-based cancer studies. Non-parametric estimation of the net survival is possible through the Pohar Perme estimator. Derived similarly to Kaplan-Meier, it nevertheless relies on an untestable independence assumption. We propose here to relax this assumption and provide a generalized non-parametric estimator that works for other dependence structures, by leveraging the underlying stochastic processes and martingales. We formally derive asymptotics of this estimator, providing variance estimation and log-rank-type tests. Our approach provides a new perspective on the Pohar Perme estimator and the acceptability of the underlying independence assumption. We highlight the impact of this dependence structure assumption on simulation studies, and illustrate them through an application on registry data relative to colorectal cancer, before discussing potential extensions of our methodology
Combining nanoindentation and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging to investigate small-scale plasticity
No full textInternational audienceThe mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale are still poorly understood, despite intensive research efforts, in particular because mechanical tests are blind to the detailed microstructure of the samples. The latter is however crucial at small scales, when stochastic response dominates the initial elasto-plastic transition. To extract a comprehensive mechanical behavior at this scale, and despite this stochastic aspect, studying a large population of nano-objects is necessary. Additionally, investigating the early stage of the plasticity, correlated with the initial microstructure of the nano-objects, is essential. In this regard, we use a statistical approach to extract deterministic laws from various techniques such as nano-compression or nanoindentation, and we discuss the results in light with Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) which provides the detailed crystalline state of the sample before and after mechanical testing. This ex situ approach is able to provide a more complete description of plastic behavior at small and large strains
Insomnie et prescription de somnifères : quelles sont les alternatives à l’officine ?
No full textL’insomnie est un trouble du sommeil fréquent qui affecte une large part de la population et impacte considérablement la qualité de vie. Face à ce problème, la prescription de somnifères, principalement des benzodiazépines et des hypnotiques apparentés, est une solution couramment adoptée. Toutefois, ces traitements présentent des risques bien documentés : dépendance, tolérance, altération des fonctions cognitives et augmentation du risque de chutes chez les personnes âgées. Face à ces limites, plusieurs alternatives thérapeutiques existent et peuvent être proposées en pharmacie. Parmi elles, la mélatonine, hormone régulatrice du sommeil, est une option intéressante, en particulier pour les troubles du rythme circadien. Les phytothérapies, comme la valériane, la passiflore ou l’eschscholtzia, possèdent des propriétés apaisantes et sédatives, bien que leur efficacité varie selon les individus. L’aromathérapie et l’homéopathie peuvent également favoriser la détente et l’endormissement. Enfin, l’éducation thérapeutique et le conseil officinal jouent un rôle clé : adapter les posologies, accompagner les patients dans un sevrage progressif si nécessaire et encourager une bonne hygiène de sommeil permettent d’optimiser la prise en charge de l’insomnie. Une approche globale, combinant ces solutions accessibles en pharmacie à des mesures comportementales simples, peut aider à réduire la consommation de somnifères et à améliorer durablement la qualité du sommeil
Proceedings of the First Workshop on Writing Aids at the Crossroads of AI, Cognitive Science and NLP: (WRAICOGS 2025)
No full textInternational audienceAs always, selecting the best and most relevant submissions for the workshop was a challenging task. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the reviewers who contributed to this effort.</div